Europa building re-opens on Tuesday

Belgium

16:35 06/11/2017

The Europa building on Rue de la Loi in the European Quarter will re-open tomorrow following shutting last month because of toxic fumes that made kitchen staff sick. The building’s kitchens will remain closed until the problem is fully resolved.

On two separate occasions last month, staff working in the catering kitchen became unwell due to toxic fumes caused by a combination of products and inadequate ventilation. Nearly 35 people in total has to be taken to hospital with burning, itchy eyes and nausea.

The building (pictured) closed during the week of 16 October. It is now re-open to staff and ministers, but the kitchen will remain closed for the time being. The kitchen’s ventilation system is not connected to any other part of the building.

The Europa building opened just last June, the new home of the European Council and the Council of the European Union. The building is the result of a partial renovation of Résidence Palace and new construction.

The Art Deco of the 1920s palace was retained and combined with a sleek glass cube that encompasses an egg-shaped structure containing the two council’s meeting rooms. The building is linked to the Justus Lipsius building by two skybridges.